On Solid Ground
To be quite candid, free agency sucks. That is, unless your last name is Suh.
People constantly let you down. Teams assign a value to you as a player (and intrinsically as a person) and that price tag, for the time being, is what you, as a player, are “worth.”
Let’s be real, there’s nothing worse than people assigning a value to you, especially when that value doesn’t match up with what you know your value to be. I had a coach a few years ago who always said, “You are what you put on tape.” The mindset being that you need to have great practices and great games because they define who you are as a player.
I always hated and still to this day hate that statement. It’s like telling a student, “you’re only as smart as your SAT score” or an employee that they’re only as good as their most recent compilation of work done. I’m a believer that you are much more than what you put on tape. And you are much more than your last grade, assignment, or report.
See, there’s a problem with big contracts and the little ones too. The problem with the smaller ones is almost self-explanatory. Teams don’t value you as much as you may think they should. Talk about a shot to the ego. But the problems with the bigger contracts are often worse.
If getting a big contract in the NFL is your ultimate goal, two problems may arise. First, you may never get it. And second, you may get it, but let’s say your production dips a little bit. Now, all of a sudden, you’re no longer worth what that contract says you’re worth. Or your salary, or your social status or your job title, or your JOB.
I’m done believing that I “am what I put on tape” because what I put on tape fluctuates too much. Jobs change, titles change, Twitter followers change, whatever other irrelevant measuring stick changes too. They always do.
There’s gonna come a day when I no longer play in the NFL. If my worth is tied up in that temporary job, I’m hopeless. Instead, I’m choosing to put my hope in one person, the “author and finisher of my faith.” I’m putting my hope in the one who loves me even on my worst day, not just if I have a few good games. I’m putting my hope in the one who will look at me and say, “well done my good and faithful servant,” simply because I believed in him and allowed him to take the lead in my life. I’m putting my hope in a solid rock that never changes and never wavers. I’m putting my hope in Christ, and I would love for you to do the same.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground (including the NFL) is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.
#LFG
I struggle with this in corporate America like athletes do in professional sports. I work for a major telecom company and have essentially gone to the “pro bowl” seven of the last ten years yet the division I work in was just traded for $10.2B and no offer from my previous company to stay with the org. Quite a shot to the ego for many of us. The timing of reading this perfectly for me as we make the transition to our new team on April 1st. Thank you for the candid article and honesty it has helped me with some self reflection thru this transition.
I’m a bears fan, I also played college football at UNM. Same position as you. I can’t tell you enough how much this resonated with me and my current situation. I’m not in the NFL or a free agent but I find resonance in your emphasis on how we value someone as a human being. Christ truly is our rock. The rest is just sand wanting to pull us down with it. I really hope you find a team that exemplifies and realizes your worth Sam. I love this game just as much as you do and although I may be watching from my couch at home and you’ll be in the trenches with the rest of the boys trying to stop that offense, we both share the same love.
God bless you brother! God will provide for you and your family!
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)
Well said… the greatest destiny lives within, here and now!
That was the realest and most inspiring words of wisdom I have heard from in this free agency period to date. Your character alone shows that you are under valued. The Lord will guide your steps ultimately where you should be and where you belong. I will pray that you have peace and prosperity through your journey. Mr.Acho I am confident that the Lord will straighten all of this out for you because you are trusting him to guide your steps
Amazing wisdom Sam. After reading your article, I will be following your career. You inspired me and I am sure, others like me. Hopefully you resign
with the Bears.
This is absolutely amazing. Very inspirational and well written. As a United State Marine for the last 15 years I think we can definitely relate to not being paid for our value or our services. The problem is money has taking away some of our love. (Not you) I think one of the main issues is when the love for the money outweighs the love of the game. Believe me, I understand how misconstrued and twisted things can get and how things align themselves to bring us to a point where the value one places on you, somehow steers our self worth. I just wonder if that kid at St. Mark’s years ago would be worried about that. If he would even care what the percentage or tax rate was, or what the the guy from Ohio was gonna get as a paycheck. I’m pretty sure he only cared about living out his dream and making it to the NFL. God will continue to guide you and lead you through trials and tribulations. One foot in front of the other brother.
For myself I have done many things in the Marine Corps. The sad part is that normally our “achievements” come with time away from loved ones and family. I was a Drill Instructor for 3 years where I spent very minimal time with my family. I have also been to Iraq three times, Afghanistan twice, and as I write this I’m currently deployed overseas bringing the fight to ISIS. I have three children at home and a beautiful wife who continue day in and day out to put up with the fact that I love my country and I love defending the people of our great nation. I have missed numerous milestones in their lives and once again last year I wasn’t able to spend a single holiday with them. (I got here in Oct) The money is not even close to what one would call making a living, I would be more likely to call it “making it”. Either way when it comes down to it we do this because of the love and drive God has given us. When something gets in the way of that, God sets us back on the right track and places us on that solid rock until we slip into that sand and need to be helped back up.
Robert
I’m a life long Bear fan & just saw this link on Bleacher Report so I said let’s see what Sam’s talkin’ bout. I had no idea this was going to go the way it went tho but it just so happens I’m also a very devout follower of Jesus Christ & man this just really blessed me I’m glad I hit that link. God bless you Man of God
I am the bilingual 5th grade teacher of the students who made the Vamos video. I met you at our school, Richmond Intermediate. I have to conquer with what you have said here. We are so much more than just what is on the tape or what the data reports. Many of the students you see on Vamos are absolutely shining stars, however, their PARCC scores will not show this. We have to see each other and ourselves for more than just what is measured when others are watching or what can be conceived as meeting expectations. We are collective individuals who shine at different times. The greatest gift we can offer is our hearts. That is never measured by data.
Couldn’t agree with you more love. Have even been burned by local churches – ack! I want to make a difference but need to narrow the field – am thinking of speaking on how to lead including millenials, volunteers and people who work remotely. Have loads of experience leading volunteer groups at church. Anyway you are a shining example and would love to sit down with you and talk about expanding The Kingdom. With love in Christ. Gina
Awesome Sam!!! God ROCKS!!!
Right on, Brother Sam. God bless!
This just helped me more then you know and praying for you to get that contract God has in mind for you.
Well put Sam…I hope to see you back in a bears uniform!! Stay strong!! Bear Down!!!
Dear Mr Acho
I am overwhelmed by your words and your Faith. I write because your words not only inspire me, it is how I feel about my Faith and my life. I could not have written so beautifully and meaningful about a persons worth in life.
I am a person who grew up poor and finally found employment with a railroad as a conductor. I worked my way up to management. After 18 years went back to being a conductor and after a few years was injured. I had a life with family and friends. After my injury and disability many of them left me including my family. My wife divorced me and my children rarely speak with me. I was also a social worker for years and from my own life as well as those I tried to help I understand that a job is not the culmination of one’s life or worth.
My Faith, friends & family who have stayed with me through my difficult times are important to me and supportive.
I only write this because of what you write about your Faith. It is there that I find peace, humility and GOD.
Thank you for your inspiration to keep going.
One last piece of info. I have had many, many surgeries and taken prescription pain pills for years.
I just had maybe my last surgery and hope one day soon to be off of pain medication. I am 64 years old. I pray you keep your health through your years of Football and I know you will keep your Faith.
Respectfully
Patrick
This is awesome Acho. My man
Wow that was beautifully said Sam. Keep believing
Thank you Sam for speaking words of life into people’s lives not just players. I have two D3 football
Players who need to hear this on the daily. I appreciate you and what you do makes a difference. Keep pressing forward towards the goal brother. Gods hand is on your life. Blessings my friend.
As a youth pastor struggling to survive because of financial strains at a small Church in Houston is I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this. I’m a huge Bears fan, but really this article means so much to me.
I have been struggling to see and understand God providing during this difficult season. Praying for you Sam!
Best thing I’ve read in a long time. Thank you
Nice statement Mr. Acho, l hope the Bears resign you. You are a credit to your family.
Amen. Having faith in Christ and yourself is a victory in itself. He will show you the way.
Well said Sam. Amen
Excellent blog Sam. If people could grasp that perspective it would be a different world. He is Risen!
Perspective is everything! Defining our value by temporal curencies, ranfible or intangible, leads to massive devaluation and thus massive disappointment. I enjoy your play on the fieldSam but I look forward with more earnest to your contributions to your community and society as a whole.
Great word Sam! Hope to see you on the midway for the Bears. You are an important asset to that team. They say they want men of integrity and character. You are one of a kind!
That is awesome. God bless and you’re correct, Jesus is the only reason.
Hi Sam,
I was referred to your blog by Dr. Cory. My son is an elite athlete (football and baseball) at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale. He fractured his tibia a few days ago and just had surgery with Dr. Cory. I know you have felt the same sort of pain physically but also mentally. His faith in God drives him every day. But his fear of the unknown now is tearing him apart inside. Any chance you can reach out to him with words of encouragement since you have been though it all and persevered?
[…] On Solid Ground […]
Hi Sam,
I read this months ago and a verse popped into my head for you. Not sure why, but it came to mind again today, and I wanted to share in hopes that it would bless you.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
You are approved, justified, and loved by Him, the maker of the universe. While man and circumstance may try to assign you a value, your true identity has already been claimed by our Lord. You are his son with whom he is well pleased.
Have a great season.
I’m a long term Bear fan & just saw this on Bleacher Report. I had no idea this was going to go the way it went tho but it just so happens I’m also a very devout follower of Jesus Christ & man this just really blessed me I’m glad I hit that link. God bless you Man of God